The Sunday Mail
Kelvin Benjamin
WHILE the mystery surrounding crossroads (mharadzano) has more questions than answers, most people always avoid passing through them, just in case they are related to bad luck.
Traditionally, crossroads have been regarded as a place where bad spirits from all the corners of the world meet, hence anyone who passes directly through the place risks getting spiritual attacks.
In addition to that, some believe that they can perform cleansing rituals at crossroads if they are tormented by bad spirits.
In a recent interview with The Sunday Mail Religion, one traditional healer, Sekuru Mazorodze described crossroads as dangerous. He said spiritual snares are set up there, targeting individuals who pass by.
He said the current generation is ignorant on such traditional beliefs, thereby leading to a lot of misfortunes in their lives.
“Crossroads or mharadzano in Shona are sacred, they are usually characterised by spiritual snares. People surrender all their spiritual problems there.
“In some cases, when one would have performed a cleansing ritual at the crossroads, he or she leaves the bad spirit there and the spirit will wait for the next person to pass by and find refugee in that person,” he said.
Sekuru Mazorodze said crossroads are also used by black magicians and witches as they bewitch individuals by making negative vows upon their lives, thereby bringing curses on the particular individual.
“In Shona, the word is very clear — mharadzano — which might also mean to destruct.
Therefore those who bewitch using the crossroads aim to destruct lives. This is the reason why traditionalists say the spots are deadly,” he said.
However, he was quick to point out that a remedy is available for those who would have been cursed through the crossroads as the vows and charms can be reversed.
“A muti called munyamharadzi can be mixed with some potions to reverse all the vows and bad charms that one would have come across at the crossroads. In Mozambique and Malawi, some call it karibe kando.”
A survey conducted by this reporter revealed that some apostolic sects’ members also practice their cleansing rituals at crossroads.
As a result of the practice; red cloths, coins, broken eggs and clay pots as well as maize or rice granules, needles and razor blades are a common sight at crossroads.
A member of Johanne Masowe yeChishanu sect who spoke on condition of anonymity admitted that some apostolic sects conduct their cleansing rituals at crossroads.
“When you do that (cleansing yourself at crossroads), you are setting a trap for a fellow human being, a move that is against Christianity’s brotherhood ideology.
“Some leaders are misleading people,” he said.
Mr Aleck Mbeure, a member of ZAOGA (FIF) Ministries said there is a misconception on crossroads, hence the need for proper teaching on the issue. “Some actually believe that a crossroad resembles a cross.
‘‘Note that Christians believe that their salvation comes from the cross since Jesus was crucified there, hence the belief that one can get cleansed there,” Mr Mbeure explained.
